Physician - Physical Medicine & Rehab

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Savannah (GA); On-site; USD 250,000 - 380,000; Full time

Job summary

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs seeks a Physiatrist (PM&R) to join the VA system in a comprehensive rehabilitation program. You will evaluate patients, design rehab plans, and coordinate care with a multidisciplinary team.

The role emphasizes musculoskeletal and neuromuscular rehabilitation, injections, and EMG/NCS expertise. Strong English communication and independence are essential for success in this open, Monday–Friday position.

Qualifications

• Must be a U.S. citizen or eligible under VA policy.
• MD or equivalent degree from a school approved by VA.
• Current, full, unrestricted medical license in the U.S.
• Residency in an approved core specialty for board eligibility.
• Board certification or eligibility; faculty status may require it.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• Preferred PM&R experience: musculoskeletal care, injections, TBI/amputations, EMG/NCS.
• Ability to work independently with excellent communication.

Responsibilities

• Perform outpatient musculoskeletal and neuromuscular exams and diagnoses.
• Develop comprehensive rehabilitation programs with the care team.
• Order diagnostic tests, medications, labs; refer to specialists as needed.
• Educate patients on conditions and recommended treatments.
• Provide office-based procedures: injections, botulinum toxin, EMG/NCS as applicable.
• Maintain timely clinical notes and coordinate care with referring practitioners.
• Support standard clinic hours: Monday–Friday, 7:30am–4:00pm.

Skills

PM&R experience

English proficiency

Independent work

Communication skills

EMG/NCS experience

Education

MD degree

Residency training

Job description

Summary

Ralph H. Johnson VA can be found in beautiful downtown Charleston. With its rich history - vibrant culture - idyllic coastal location - exquisitely preserved architecture - and celebrated dining selections - Charleston is one of America's best loved destinations. Settled alongside the Ashley rivers and Atlantic Ocean - Charleston has a subtropical climate with mild winters and warm - sunny summers. Charleston proper is surrounded by communities and that extend beyond the historic peninsula.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position - you must meet the basic requirements as well as any additional requirements (if applicable) listed in the job announcement. Applicants pending the completion of training or license requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. Currently employed physician(s) in VA who met the requirements for appointment under the previous qualification standard at the time of their initial appointment are deemed to have met the basic requirements of the occupation.

Basic Requirements

• United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy
• Degree of doctor of medicine or an equivalent degree resulting from a course of education in allopathic medicine or osteopathic medicine
• The degree must have been obtained from one of the schools approved by the Department of Veterans Affairs for the year in which the course of study was completed
• Current - full and unrestricted license to practice medicine or surgery in a State - Territory - or Commonwealth of the United States - or in the District of Columbia
• Residency Training: Physicians must have completed residency training - approved by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs in an accredited core specialty training program leading to eligibility for board certification
• (NOTE: VA physicians involved in academic training programs may be required to be board certified for faculty status.) Approved residencies are: (1) Those approved by the accrediting bodies for graduate medical education - the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) or American Osteopathic Association (AOA) - in the list published for the year the residency - or fellowship if applicable - was completed
• OR (2) One year of post medical school training (internship - first year of residency - or transitional year residency) approved by ACGME or AOA followed by two years of post-training independent practice (performing under a full and unrestricted license) in the United States
• OR (3) Non-US residency training programs followed by a minimum of three years of verified independent practice in the United States (performing under a full and unrestricted license) performing duties related to the position they are applying for (United States fellowships would be creditable towards this requirement) - which the local Medical Staff Executive Committee deems to have provided the applicant with appropriate professional training and believes has exposed the Physician to an appropriate range of patient care experiences
• Exceptions: Residents currently enrolled in ACGME/AOA accredited residency training programs and who would otherwise meet the basic requirements for appointment are eligible to be appointed as "Physician Resident Providers" (PRPs)
• PRPs must be fully licensed physicians (i.e. - not a training license) and may only be appointed on an intermittent basis
• PRPs are not considered independent practitioners and will not be privileged
• rather - they are to have a "scope of practice" that allows them to perform certain restricted duties under supervision
• Additionally - surgery residents in gap years may also be appointed as PRPs
• In rare and unusual circumstances - the Facility Director can submit a memo to the VISN Director through the VISN Chief Medical Officer - who may approve requests for reasonable exceptions to the residency training requirement for Physicians whose composite record of experience - accomplishments - performance - and qualifications warrant such action
• Proficiency in spoken and written English
• Preferred Experience: General physical medicine and rehabilitation experience in the treatment of musculoskeletal disorders - including performing peripheral joint injections - spasticity management with botulinum toxin injections - management of patients with traumatic brain injuries and amputations
• EMG and NCS experience
• Must be able to work independently and have excellent communication skills???????
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• Physical Requirements: The physical demands of this position involve primarily walking - sitting - talking - driving - use of the telephone - etc
• Strenuous physical activity is not required although the incumbent is expected to withstand pressure and stress as part of their day-to-day activities
• Light lifting - under 15 pounds - Light carrying - under 15 pounds - Hearing (aid permitted).

Duties

• This is an open continuous announcement
• Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis and qualified candidates will be considered as vacancies become available
• Applications will remain on file until September 30 - 2026
• VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package
• VHA Physician Total Rewards
• Recruitment/Relocation Incentives (Sign-on Bonus): Authorized Pay: Competitive salary - annual performance bonus - regular salary increases Paid Time Off: 50-55 days of paid time off per year (26 days of annual leave - 13 days of sick leave - 11 paid Federal holidays per year and possible 5 day paid absence for CME) Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Licensure: 1 full and unrestricted license from any US State or territory CME: Possible $1 -000 per year reimbursement (must be full-time with board certification) Malpractice: Free liability protection with tail coverage provided Contract: No Physician Employment Contract and no significant restriction on moonlighting Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Providers - Duties include but are not limited to the following: 1
• Performs outpatient musculoskeletal and neuromuscular examinations - determines diagnoses - and initiates treatments that emphasize restoration of function for both male and female veterans
• Patient populations requiring comprehensive rehabilitation programs include those with musculoskeletal and neuromuscular impairments - amputations - spinal cord injury - stroke - traumatic brain injury - and those with chronic severe disabling pain syndromes
• 2
• Works with a team of health care providers to establish a comprehensive rehabilitation program
• 3
• Executes clinical and non-clinical assignments efficiently - providing timely and courteous services to all veterans seeking rehabilitative care - making clinical notes readily available to the referring practitioners
• 4
• Orders diagnostic tests - medications - laboratory tests as medically relevant for each patient and makes referrals to other appropriate specialists 5
• Provides timely follow-up on results and patient inquiries - including and not limited to completion of view alerts - secure messages and other patient communications
• 6
• Prescribes medications according to approved formulary - and in accordance with Federal and State Law
• 7
• Performs office-based procedures such as trigger point - intraarticular - intrasheath - and peripheral joint injections - botulinum toxin injections - baclofen pump refills and EMG/NCS
• 8
• Educates patients concerning medical conditions and recommended treatments
• 9
• Consults other specialties as appropriate - according to service agreements
• 10
• Completes other duties as assigned by the Section Chief of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Work Schedule: Monday - Friday
• 7:30am - 4:00pm (Subject to change based on agency needs.